[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s7.188 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.188 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.188 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s7.188](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.188) 2. Varṇa (lit. ‘colour’) in the Rigveda¹ is applied to denote classes of men, the Dāsa and the Āryan Varṇa being contrasted, as other passages² show, on account of colour. But this use is confined to distinguishing two colours: in this respect the Rigveda differs fundamentally from the later Saṃhitās and Brāhmaṇas,³ where the four castes (varṇāḥ) are already fully recognized. - [Previous: v2.c4.s7.187](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.187) - [Next: v2.c4.s7.189](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.189) - [Up: v2.c4.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.188](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.188) · Pramāṇa